Hood River City Manager Bob Francis believes that a disciplinary shakeup at the police department will result in positive change.

“I think this was a wake-up call that some changes needed to be made,” he said.

“The community expects its city employees to conduct themselves by the highest standards. And I think we’ve taken steps to ensure that happens.”

Police Chief Bruce Ludwig, Lt. David Thompson and Officer Erin Mason all now have letters of reprimand in their respective personnel files. In addition, the three men have been directed to personally — and in writing — apologize for their actions to all staffers.

Mason will publicize an apology to the entire Hood River community that he serves. On June 13, the officer made racial and gender slurs, along with derogatory comments about homosexuals, during a drunken telephone call to the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center. He made the call to obtain the phone number of a woman that he wanted to contact for personal reasons.

“I think this will make him a stronger officer,” said Francis. “I think he now understands that he does live in a fish bowl. I don’t think he will make this mistake again.”

Mason has been removed from the Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Task Force. During the almost 24-minute conversation on a recorded line that was available to the public, he revealed his undercover status with MINT. He also named the Oregon State Police narcotics detective and stated that he was partying at that individual’s house.

On Monday, OSP Lt. Pat Ashmore confirmed that Kaipo Raiser, the OSP officer with Mason that night, had also been removed from MINT. However, he said the decision to place Raiser back on patrol was not connected to anything that happened with Mason. He also denied the action had been taken because of a photo recently published on a Gorge Internet site that showed the officer making an obscene gesture from his car window.

“We’re just taking some time to regroup and focus our efforts and resources on the patrol side (of drug enforcement),” said Ashmore.

He will be stepping down as chair of the MINT board since OSP will, at least temporarily, not have an officer on the team. Ashmore plans to remain on the board and stay involved with MINT, which is now down to three detectives.

To jumpstart drug investigations in Hood River County, Francis has “strongly recommended” that Ludwig now appoint an experienced officer.

“We need to put someone on MINT immediately who knows operations and is familiar with the other team members,” said Francis.

Ludwig was unable to be reached for comment about whether the recently removed city officer would be returned to MINT.

The chief was sharply criticized by District Attorney John Sewell in May for removing that individual over a $17.34 accounting error.

HRPOA then filed a grievance after Ludwig selected Mason for the job without following established guidelines No other officers were given the opportunity to apply for the position as outlined in an agreed-upon policy.

Ludwig agreed to resolve HRPOA’s grievance by advertising the position and he then re-appointed Mason.

That decision led Tiffany Hicks, a senior officer, to file a formal complaint. A consultant from Public Safety Liability Management Inc. was hired by the city to investigate her allegations of gender discrimination.

According to Steve Everroad, city personnel director, the scope of the investigation widened as other problems surfaced within the department.

Francis said Thompson ended up being disciplined based on the results of that investigation. He said the lieutenant is now aware that his “inappropriate” comments offended some of the workers that he supervises.

“Once it was pointed out to Lt. Thompson that some of his off-color jokes were not appreciated, I think he understood what needed to be done,” said Francis. “I do not anticipate that he’ll have any further problem with this type of behavior.”

He said Ludwig is drafting a new set of criteria and procedures for selecting officers to serve in specialized roles, such as MINT. He said these appointments can no longer be a “subjective decision.” Francis said the chief is now required, upon request, to write down why an officer is turned down for a position.

“If he doesn’t have better control of what goes on over there then I’ll be getting more involved,” said Francis.

The city manger was adamant that no retaliation would be tolerated against any employee who had spoken out about problems within the department.

“If anyone working there can’t see that something was wrong then he/she should take another look at the situation,” he said.

“If I get one word of retribution taking place then I will take immediate steps to deal with those who perpetuate it.”